Helpful Hints

Dear Families,

The following information is meant to be a communication tool from us to you. These are a few logistics as well as what we use for behavior management in the second grade. If you ever have questions, please feel free to raise your hand.

Homework
Homework is assigned every night Monday through Thursday. Your child will write his or her homework in their planners. Homework is due the next morning.

Math Facts
The foundation to greater math skills. Practice 5 minutes a night with your child, and they will be mastered in no time.

Reading
Don’t forget reading! The foundation to all areas of academia! Take the time to either read to your child, have them read to you, or independently a minimum of 15 minutes a day. Their well worth it!

Weekly Work
Expect to see in your child’s homework folder every Wednesday a stack of his or her weekly work for you to review. This is meant for you to check and be aware of what your child is currently learning. You don’t have to return it to school.
The inside flap of your child’s homework folder is a space for you to sign and date so that we know you saw the work. There is also a space for comments or questions. Please make sure this is signed once a week.

Behavioral Management & Expectations
In the second grade, we feel that your children are emotionally and developmentally capable of demonstrating the following classroom procedures. Raising his or her hand when asking a question, respecting themselves and their peers, no blurting or shouting out answers, walking in the classroom during instruction time, using indoor voices, encouraging classmates, and an overall respect for their school, fellow teachers, and students. In order to support these expectations, we have the following tasks to encourage and support your child:

Marble Jar
When the class is doing a great job transitioning from one task to the next, working as cooperative team members, following directions efficiently, or random acts of positive group effort they will receive marbles in a jar. When this jar is filled, they will choose as a class a reward. For example, extra recess, a treat, or anything that they choose that is within reason.
Marbles are also removed when the children are not following the directions above.

Team Work Points
The students sit in table groups during. When each team can follow similar instructions listed above, that group receives a team work point. At the end of the week who ever has earned the most team work points receives something out of the class treasure chest (a box of treats and small toys).

Star Chart
There is a star chart in the room. When we notice a child who is doing an extra good job, he or she may put a star on the chart. When your child has finished a complete row of stars they then get to pick something out of the treasure chest

Card System
There is a traditional card system in the room. If a child is meeting my expectation, he or she will not get a card turned. However, if your child is doing something inappropriate, they will get a warning. If they have difficulty changing their behavior they turn their card, and a commucication via email or note is sent home for you to review and discuss with your child.
I hope this helps.